Riff Tone

Women In Love...

Van Halen

Guitarrock1980s

Original Gear

GuitarCustom-built 'Frankenstrat' (Boogie Bodies Strat-style ash body, maple neck, single humbucker, custom wiring)

Amp1968 Marshall Super Lead 100-watt 'Plexi' (run through Variac at ~90V) into Marshall 1960A 4x12 cabinet

PickupsGibson PAF humbucker (bridge position, wired directly to volume)

Amp Settings

gain0

bass6

mid7

treble7

reverb2

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

delayEchoplex Echoplex EP-3 Tape Echo

Notes

Studio recording, 1979 (Women and Children First sessions). Guitar volume rolled down for clean intro/riff. No evidence of alternate guitars or amps for this clean section. No chorus or octave pedals used for this song; direct signal with effects as described.

Tone Character(10)

bright and glassychimey and articulateslightly compressedtouch-sensitiveclear note separationdelicate harmonicswarm yet sparklingopen and airydynamic responseminimal breakup

Difficulty

The riff is challenging due to the use of tapped harmonics, precise volume control for clean tone, and the need for dynamic, articulate playing to achieve the signature sound.

Sources

Eddie Van Halen's Guitar Gear, Frankenstrat & Pedalboard | Equipboard Eddie Van Halen's Guitar Gear, Frankenstrat & Pedalboard | Equipboard Women in Love Tone Help | The Gear Page The secrets behind Eddie Van Halen's guitar tone on Everybody Wants Some!! | Guitar World

This tone has been researched 2 times by the community

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